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Britney Spears Biopic Update: Screenwriter Confirms Movie Is Still in the Works
Liz Meriwether, screenwriter of the upcoming Britney Spears biopic, says the project is in its early stages and that it's the right time for the film. The movie, based on Spears' memoir 'The Woman in Me,' is directed by Jon M. Chu, who has said Spears will be 'very involved.'
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Introduction
The Britney Spears biopic is still in development, according to its screenwriter, Liz Meriwether. The film, based on Spears' 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me, has been in the works for some time, with Meriwether recently providing an update on its progress in an interview with Vanity Fair.
Screenwriter's Vision
Meriwether, best known for creating the TV seriesNew Girl, told Vanity Fair that she believes now is the right moment for the film. "I do think it’s the right time for this movie and the right moment to be looking back and thinking about it," she said, adding, "I’m almost exactly her age, and I’m really excited to think about how to retell that story."
Describing her approach, Meriwether noted that Spears' experience was "pretty unique for the moment that it was happening, almost a perfect storm of attention and new forms of media." She also said she is at the "beginning of the process" of writing the script and has been immersing herself in Spears' music. "I’ve been listening to a lot of music that was happening around the time that she was making music," she said, singling out tracks like "Perfume" and "If I’m Dancing" as favorites.
Director's Remarks
Jon M. Chu is set to direct the biopic. In comments reported last year, Chu said Spears will be "very involved" in the project. "We haven't really started anything yet; but she will be very involved," he told Entertainment Tonight. He added, "I have ideas and an approach and things, but it's very, very early."
Addressing fan speculation about casting, Chu said he has "seen all the fan castings and all that stuff and I always take those in consideration, because maybe there is a good idea out there, but we will have to see what the approach of the movie is before we know who is right for it." He also expressed his hopes for the film, telling Bustle that after reading Spears' book, she "became human to me." He said, "I hope to convey that humanity and the spectacle of what she is in all her glory."
Background and Context
The biopic draws onThe Woman in Me, Spears' memoir that details her rise to fame, her struggles, and her conservatorship, which lasted nearly 14 years until its termination in November 2021. The book also includes allegations against her ex-husband Kevin Federline. Meriwether has said she has read the book and listened to the audiobook, praising Michelle Williams' narration.
While no release date or additional details have been announced, Meriwether's comments confirm the project is moving forward.
How each outlet told it
A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the biopic writer's insistence that now is the right time for the film.
Facts Included:
New Girl creator Liz Meriwether is writing the screenplay for the biopic.
Jon M. Chu is directing the biopic.
The biopic is based on Britney Spears' 2023 memoir The Woman in Me.
Britney Spears was under a conservatorship for almost 14 years until November 2021.
Liz Meriwether said: "I do think it’s the right time for this movie and the right moment to be looking back and thinking about it."
Liz Meriwether said: "I’m almost exactly her age, and I’m really excited to think about how to retell that story."
Liz Meriwether said: "But I do feel like what she experienced was pretty unique for the moment that it was happening, almost a perfect storm of attention and new forms of media."
Liz Meriwether said: "I’ve been listening to a lot of music that was happening around the time that she was making music."
Liz Meriwether said: "I really love ‘Perfume’ and ‘If I’m...’"
Liz Meriwether said: "Her hits have been such big hits that I think there are a lot of songs that people don’t think of."
Director Jon M. Chu said Britney will be "very involved" in the biopic.
Chu said: "We haven't really started anything yet; but she will be very involved."
Chu said: "I have ideas and an approach and things, but it's very, very early."
Chu said about fan castings: "I have seen all the fan castings and all that stuff and I always take those in consideration, because maybe there is a good idea out there, but we will have to see what the approach of the movie is before we know who is right for it."
Chu said: "But I am hoping for anything, really."
Chu told Bustle: "She’s always been this icon, but ultimately, especially more recently after reading her book, she’d become human to me."
Chu said: "I think that is so beautiful."
Chu said: "I hope to convey that humanity and the spectacle of what she is in all her glory."
Chu said: "(I want to explore) what we expect from people that we think are ours."
Chu said: "They’re their own people, and we have to respect that."
Millie Bobby Brown, Sydney Sweeney, and Olivia Holt have expressed interest in playing Britney.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimLiz Meriwether is writing the screenplay for the Britney Spears biopic.
ClaimLiz Meriwether said: "But I do feel like what she experienced was pretty unique for the moment that it was happening, almost a perfect storm of attention and new forms of media."
ClaimJon M. Chu said about fan castings: "I have seen all the fan castings and all that stuff and I always take those in consideration, because maybe there is a good idea out there, but we will have to see what the approach of the movie is before we know who is right for it."